[BRARY 


THE  UNIVERSITY 


OF  CALIFORNIA 


LOS  ANGELES 


F'T 


CONFLICT  AND  CONQUEST 


AND  OTHER  POEMS, 


AELLA    GREENE, 


AUTHOR  OF  "RIVER,  BIRD  AND  STAR," 
AND  "JOHN  PETERS." 


Published  in   1897. 


COPYRIGHT    1897, 

BY 
AELLA    GREENE. 


THE   COTTAGER    COMPANY,    PRINTERS, 
ATHOL,    MASS. 


PS 


IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF 

FRIENDSHIPS  WHOSE  SHINING  HAS  DISPELLED 

THE  DARKNESS  OF  MANY  A 

GLOOMY  DAY. 


1051395 


CONTENTS. 


i 

CONFLICT  AND  CONQUEST: 

BATTLE  AND  DEFEAT 

RESCUE 

VICTORY 

MISSION  AND  OUTLOOK 

II 
FORDING,  AND  BEYOND: 

"MORNING  GILDS  THE  OTHER  SIDE' 
THE  COUNTRY  OF  THE  GOOD 
THROUGH  THE  SHADOWS 
INTERCESSION 

III 

LOVE  PIECES: 

"COME,  HAPPY  BIRD" 

ZEPHYRS 

THE  SWEETHEART 

"MAIDEN  DISCREET" 

NECTAR 

IV 

SATIRES: 

SOME  CRITICS 
IN  AMBUSH 
HEART  OF  ICE 
WILLIAM  WILLIAMS 
TOMMY  TRIM 


V 
OTHER  POEMS: 

"MOST  BEAUTIFUL  RIVER" 

"BRIGHT  ON  YOUR  NATIVE  HILLS" 

"SING,  BIRD  OF  CHEER" 

THE  ANTIDOTE 

THE  PROBLEM 

THE  BRIGHT  BELIEF 

"THOU  SHALT  DISCERN" 

BLESS  THY  KIND 

DOMINANT 

VICTOR 

ALWAYS  WITH  THEE 

A  ROSE 

THE  IDEAL 

INTUITIONS 

THROUGH  GRIEF 

BUILDING 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

AT  SCHOOL 

WARRING 

OUR  FAITH  IN  MEN 

MY  NATIVE  LAND 

"PRIZE  THOU  THYSELF" 

"SHE  PLACED  THE  BITTER  SWEET" 

INTO  THE  SUNSHINE 

"GOOD  BYE,  SWEET  STARS" 


CONFLICT  AND  CONQUEST. 
I. 


BATTLE  AND  DEFEAT. 

TN  days  when  fiends  who  came  to  earth 

For  purposes  of  blood  and  dearth 
Found  those  who  were  alert  and  brave 
To  meet  whatever  fight  they  gave, 
The  devils,  wroth  to  think  it  true 
'Twas  long  since  fiends  a  pilgrim  slew, 
In  hellish  conclave  planned  to  slay 
The  mortal  first  to  dare  their  fray, 
When,  soon,  insatiate,  they,  again, 
Should  seek  and  vex  the  haunts  of  men. 
And  Doubt,  the  monster  known  as  Fear, 
Sat  eminent,  and  Hate  was  near, 
With  score  of  impish  jealousies. 
And  sneaking  Slander,  versed  in  lies, 
And  Selfishness  and  Envy  came, 
With  lesser  fiends  that  have  no  name. 
And  Fear  they  chose  as  chief  and  well 
Attired  with  mail  annealed  in  hell ! 
They  armed  him  with  a  heavy  blade 
That  seemed  for  some  dread  business  made 
And  chains  they  took  with  which  to  bind, 
If  so  the  monster  felt  inclined, 
The  mortal  he  should  give  affray 
And  torture  ere  he  deigned  to  slay. 


IO  BATTLE    AND    DEFEAT 

Thus  furnished,  he  was  earthward  sent ; 
And  with  him  minor  demons  went, 
The  champion  fiend  to  serve  and  guard, 
That  mortals  should  not  press  too  hard ; 
While  Fear,  himself,  equipped  for  fight, 
Appeared  enough  a  host  to  fright. 

When  nearing  earth  the  fiends  could  see 
A  man  of  pilgrim  panoply, 
Who  upward  fared  o'er  desert  strand 
Which  downward  slopes  to  demonland. 
Across  this  desert  fevered  airs 
Alternate  sweep  with  chill  despairs, 
Each  zephyr  trembling  with  the  moan 
Of  those  the  fiends  have  overthrown. 
And  here  as  long  as  suits  the  sprites 
Victorious  in  their  earthly  fights 
Their  victims  writhe  in  fiercest  pains, 
Close  kept  by  fiends  upon  the  plains. 

Meanwhile  the  demons  poise  above 
The  place  where  they  with  pilgrims  strove, 
And  taunt  them  with  a  fiendish  laugh 
And  water  held  too  far  to  quaff. 
They  plunge  the  wretches  then  below, 


BATTLE    AND    DEFEAT 

To  drink  of  an  intenser  woe 

Within  the  confines  of  a  pit 

Of  which  description  is  not  fit. 

The  equal  words  were  so  severe 

That  even  stoics  who  should  hear, 

Though  gifted  with  unearthly  might, 

Would  shriek  and  shiver  in  affright ! 

How  came  this  man  amid  the  dearth 

Of  that  wild  outward  strand  of  earth, 

Whence  came  he  there,  and  why,  to  dwell, 

And  dwelt  how  long,  needs  not  to  tell ; 

Needs  not  to  name  the  fates  that  strove — 

Misfortune  if  to  honest  love, 

Or  if  'twas  other  grief  that  drove. 

What  angel  cheered  him  is  not  known, 

What  airs  salubrious  from  what  zone, 

What  heavenly  radiance  from  on  high, 

What  happy  bird  of  sunniest  sky  ! 

Nor  whence  his  blade,  nor  whence  his  shield, 

If  angels  or  if  men,  annealed  ; 

Nor  whence  the  pilgrim  raiment  given, 

That  seemed  of  earth  while,  still,  of  heaven  ! 

Some  spirit  or  some  bird  of  song 

He  must  have  heard,  so  brave  and  strong 


12  BATTLE    AND    DEFEAT 

Fared  he  the  desert  way  along. 
If  briefest  halt  he  made  for  rest, 
The  faster  onward  then  he  pressed, 
Till  breezes  muttered  to  his  ear 
The  hate  of  fiends  approaching  near. 
And  still  the  pilgrim  kept  his  way, 
Undaunted  by  the  dawning  fray 
That  he  discovered  in  their  eyes 
Who  came  his  progress  to  surprise. 
And  when  the  guards  began  assault 
They  paid  most  dearly  for  the  fault. 
For  many  imps  he  conquered  soon, 
And  others  routed  till  the  noon. 
Then  on  the  scene  the  chief  appeared, 
Brandished  his  blade  and  loudly  jeered. 
Yet  he  so  fenced  the  blows  away 
Whom  Fear  had  thought  an  easy  prey, 
Half  down  the  sky  the  lustre  stood, 
Ere  fiendish  blade  had  tasted  blood. 
And,  with  his  wound,  courageous  grew 
The  man,  the  conflict  to  renew. 
And  yet,  though  well  he  bore  the  blows 
The  fiend  laid  on  whose  fury  rose 
Till  fiercely  glowed  his  face  with  rage 
That  such  brave  war  the  man  should  wage, 


BATTLE    AND    DEFEAT 

As  o'er  the  scene  the  anxious  sky 
Noted  the  passioned  hours  go  by, 
The  warrior's  surely  ebbing  might 
Showed  he  must  yield,  at  last  the  fight. 
Ami  nature  sighed  in  grief  to  see 
The  fiend  was  gaining  mastery  ! 

When  sad  the  sunset  closed  the  day 

That  trembled  with  the  mighty  fray, 

Deep-hewn  by  Fear  and  left  in  bands, 

To  pine  upon  the  desert  sands, 

His  wounds  proclaimed  that  long  and  well 

The  hero  battled    ere  he  fell. 

Yet  he,  though  brave,  was  vanquished  still, 

With  spirit  crushed  and  broken  will, 

And  fitting  were  the  sombre  skies 

In  which  it  seemed  no  sun  could  rise  ! 

Responsive  to  the  sufferer's  moans, 

The  wild  waste  thrilled  with  thunder  tones ; 

Yet  rains  blessed  not  those  desert  airs — 

There  are  no  tears  for  some  despairs  ! 

Yet  no  despairs  but  timely  deed 
Of  kindness  meets  the  spirit's  need, 


1 4  RESCUE 

And  wakes  the  bird  of  hope  to  sing, 

That  earthward  calls  those  swift  of  wing. 

And,  trembling  at  that  song  of  cheer, 

The  victor  fiends  that  hover  near 

To  taunt  persistent  every  sigh 

That  speaks  the  sufferer's  wish  to  die, 

Aware  the  song  portends  at  hand 

The  powers  their  might  cannot  withstand, 

Forget  their  glee  and  in  affright 

Quick  speed  them  through  the  murky  night ! 


RESCUE. 


A   stranger  o'er  that  desert  way 

Came  where  the  panting  sufferer  lay, 
Knelt  like  a  brother  at  his  side 
And  tried  to  staunch  the  ruddy  tide, 
And,  ere  the  wounded  man  could  ask, 
Proffered  him  water  from  his  flask. 
The  hero  drank,  his  thirst  to  slake, 
And  thus,  in  heartfelt  whispers,  spake  : 


RESCUE  1 5 

"Grateful  that  Providence  did  send, 

I  thank  thee  for  thy  coming,  friend, 

The  sentry  imps  Fear  stationed  here 

Were  quick  to  flee  when  cam'st  thou  near. 

He  gat  him  elsewhere  with  his  blade, 

And  must  have  other  havoc  made. 

Search  that,  and  give  thy  blessing  there 

Till  angels  shall  relieve  thy  care. 

And  I  am  safe,  since  hope  doth  sing 

That  timely  aid  from  heaven  shall  bring. 

For  spoke  an  angel  unto  me 

When  pined  my  soul  in  misery, 

And  said  if  on  the  upward  way 

I  met  a  demon  in  affray 

And  bravely  battled  in  the  fight 

The  skies  would  honor  me  with  might 

And  send  a  bird  whose  tuneful  cheer 

The  listening  angels  always  hear, 

And  hearing,  swift  and  gladly  fly 

With  blessings  from  the  gracious  sky. 

Remembering  this,  I  tried  to  wage 

The  war  against  the  monster's  rage  !" 

And  through  that  midnight  to  the  plains, 
To  oint  his  wounds  and  loose  his  chains, 


10  RESCUE 

Whom  first  a  human  friend  addressed, 
Whom  first  a  human  hand  Had  blessed, 
The  bright  ones  of  the  pitying  skies 
Came  swift  of  wing  for  such  emprise, 
And  clusters  brought  from  heavenly  vine, 
High-cultured  for  the  feasts  divine. 
Of  these  he  ate,  and  peaceful  slept. 
The  while  the  angels  vigils  kept, 
Till  flushing  bright  with  rosy  flame, 
O'er  eastern  hills  the  morning  came, 
And  Heaven  in  high  approval  smiled 
On  every  feature  of  the  wild  ! 
The  desert  greened  to  grassy  glades, 
Wherein  to  cadence  of  cascades, 
By  joyous  brooks,  and  blessed  with  shades, 
That,  frequent  as  the  hero's  needs, 
Were  flecked  along  the  flowery  meads, 
His  heart  harmonious  with  the  day, 
He  fared  with  gladscmeness  his  way, 
To  each  entrancing  scene  and  song 
Awake,  and  yet  sustained  and  strong, 
And  not  o'ercome  by  sudden  boon, 
That  still  came  not  the  least  too  soon — 
Surveying,  with  emotions  due, 
Earth  all  the  same,  yet  grandly  new  ! 


VICTORY  1 7 

Yet  that  bright  scene  was  in  the  land 
Of  barrenness,  the  desert  strand 
That  downward  slopes  unto  the  dearth 
Upon  the  arid  verge  of  earth. 
And  desert  still  the  place  remains, 
And  desert  all  the  neighboring  plains. 
But  there,,  within  that  wilderness, 
Where  pined  the  pilgrim  in  distress, 
A  man  and  angels  came  to  bless. 
So,  honored,  there,  of  earth  and  skies, 
The  pilgrim  sees  through  visioned  eyes ; 
And  unto  him  the  desert  seems 
A  land  of  verdure  and  of  streams. 

VICTORY. 

LJTS  struggles  gave  the  pilgrim  ken 

Aright  to  read  despairing  men ; 
And  wishing  that  they  dare  to  try 
The  upward  road  from  misery, 
He  sought  to  lead  them  from  their  woes, 
And  rash  the  fiend  that  dared  oppose. 

If  any  one  his  course  withstood 

He  found  a  blade  to  drink  his  blood. 


1 8  VICTORY 

The  trusty  steel  would  never  fail 
To  journey  swift  through  hardest  mail 
Which  devils  wear  when  earthward  sent, 
The  hardest  which  the  fiends  invent 
Who  study  long  and  ponder  well 
The  ores  and  alchemies  of  hell ! 


Once,  only  once,  did  Fear  essay 

To  re-enact  the  first  affray. 

It  was  one  morn  when  o'er  the  strand 

The  pilgrim  upward  led  a  band, 

That  he  espied  his  former  foe 

Equipped  from  armories  below 

And  posmg  in  effrontery 

Where  erst  he  practiced  cruelty. 

Though  guarded  by  a  retinue 

And  dread-inspiring  to  the  view, 

The  monster  little  trembling  caused, 

And  though  the  pilgrim  briefly  paused, 

'  Fwas  but  for  an  assuring  word 

That  heartened  well  the  band  who  heard. 

To  heaven  they  sent  the  sincere  prayer 

That  ever  finds  acceptance  there. 


VICTORY  :<7 

Meanwhile  their  leader  forward  went, 
To  ascertain  the  fiend's  intent, 
And,  if  his  presence  warfare  meant, 
To  trust  the  skies  and  do  his  best 
The  monster's  boldness  to  arrest. 
The  blade  he  bore  appeared  so  weak 
A  fairy's  gentlest  touch  would  break ; 
And  still  there  slumbered  in  that  steel 
The  might  to  make  the  monster  reel, 
Fourfold  of  what  it  had  the  day 
When  first  it  dared  a  demon's  fray. 
The  skies  impart  to  every  one 
Who  have  for  others  bravely  done, 

Quadruple  power  for  any  fight 
They  wage  thereafter  for  the  right. 
This  well  the  pilgrim  understood ; 
And  yet  he  had  no  warlike  mood, 
Nor  thirst  for  even  fiendish  blood. 
And  meek  he  seemed,  and  was,  and  mild, 
And  seemed  in  prowess  but  a  child. 
But  fiends  could  never  read  the  face 
Aright  of  excellence  and  grace. 
And  Fear  supposed  an  easy  fight 
Would  put  the  man  in  sorry  plight. 


20  VICTORY 

True,  he  had  never  yet  forgot 
How  angels  drove  him  from  the  spot, 
When  er»t  against  the  man  he  fought 
And  such  terrific  havoc  wrought ; 
Nor  yet  forgot  the  song  that  brought 
Those  angels  earthward  from  the  skies 
Before  whom  every  demon  flies. 
But  greed  in  men  or  fiends  will  blind 
And  far  from  caution  swerve  the  mind. 
And  hate  beyond  all  other  greed 
Will  unto  wildest  ventures  lead. 

And,  guarded  by  an  impish  clan, 
The  fiend  bore  down  upon  the  man. 
Quick  glowed  the  pilgiiin  then  with  light 
Reflected  from  his  inner  might. 
An  instant  impulse  as  from  heaven 
Inspired  the  dart  the  fiend  was  given, 
A  thrust  that  pierced  the  demon  through 
And  sent  him  howling  homeward,  long  to  stay 
And  nurse  his  wounds  and  curse  the  day 
He  dared  this  pilgrim  to  affray. 
The  pigmy  fiends  without  their  chief, 
'Twas  scarce  a  skirmish  and  'twas  brief, 


MISSION    AND    OUTLOOK 

To  bring  the  demon  dwarfs  to  grief. 
The  pilgrim  tossed  them  on  his  blade, 
And  of  the  swarm  such  pastime  made 
As  left  them  silent  where  they  fell, 
And  called  for  obsequies  in  hell, 
When  there  by  other  imps  were  borne 
The  forms  the  hero's  steel  had  torn  ! 


MISSION  AND  OUTLOOK. 

A  ND  still  the  pilgrim,  wise  to  cheer, 

And  stronger  grown  by  fighting  Fear, 
Resorts  unto  the  desert  strand 
That  borders  close  on  demonland. 
And  patient  and  persistent  there, 
To  win  the  saddened  from  despair, 
He  rouses  some  to  make  the  fight 
Of  struggling  from  their  wretched  plight. 
But  some  there  are  no  words  can  move, 
Though  spoken  from  a  heart  of  love. 
And  who  would  any  hopeless  lead 
From  thence,  of  gentleness  has  need, 
So  worn  are  all  from  grinding  cares, 
So  faint  from  starving  on  despairs. 


22  MISSION    AND    OUTLOOK 

And  some  of  these  are  grown  so  weak 

They  scarce  can  think,  they  cannot  speak; 

So  weak  they  deem  soft  airs  severe 

And  tremble  if  a  bird  they  hear ; 

So  weak  a  shadow's  weight  would  break, 

So  weak,  who  once,  perchance,  could  take 

Herculean  blows,  unharmed,  and  bear 

With  equipoise  a  world  of  care, 

Rebuke  the  impudence  of  fate, 

And  quench  the  venomed  darts  of  hate. 

And  these  the  pilgrim  reads  aright, 

And  kens  by  faith  beyond  the  night 

The  summits  where  the  splendors  play, 

That  prophesy  for  them  the  d.iy. 

And  thither,  silent  all  the  way, 

Right  on  he  leads,  and  looks  the  cheer 

They,  looking,  beg,  but  dare  not  hear. 

But  walk  they  can,  for  well  they  know 
They're  faring  upward  from  their  woe. 
They  read  it  in  the  matchless  grace 
That  speaks  the  leader's  noble  race, 
They  read  it  in  his  soldier  pace, 
They  read  it  in  his  radiant  face, 
They  read  it  in  his  hopeful  eyes 


MISSION    AND    OUTLOOK  23 

That  shine  with  joy  of  victories 
And  shed  along  the  starless  night 
A  lustre  more  than  stellar  light. 

And  some  with  speech  the  pilgrim  cheers, 

With  reminiscence  of  the  years 

A  stranger  brightened  by  a  deed 

That  met  a  famished  sufferer's  need, 

A  stranger  by  a  deed  of  love 

That  brought  the  angels  from  above, 

A  man  he  had  not  seen  before, 

A  man  whom  here  he  saw  no  more, 

A  stranger  since  ascended  where 

The  best  of  bright  fruitions  are  ! 

And  others  as  he  fares  along 

The  pilgrim  heartens  with  the  song 

That,  caroled  by  the  joyous  bird, 

The  wild  waste  and  the  midnight  heard 

When  once  upon  that  desert  way 

He  met  a  fiend  in  an  affray 

That  saddened  and  that  shook  a  day  ! 

If  some  must  halt  for  sleep,  their  rest 
He  sentinels  and  then  with  zest 


24  MISSION    AND    OUTLOOK 

He  leads  them  to  the  mountain  top 
Resplendent  with  the  morn  of  hope. 
His  chivalry  the  rescued  learn, 
And  with  the  like  emotions  burn, 
And  with  him  to  the  plains  return, 
And  others  lead  unto  the  heights, 
To  taste  of  hope's  supreme  delights. 

O  !  lovely  hills  where  Edens  are 
Without  a  flaming  sword  to  bar  ! 
Bright  summits  where  from  dawn  to  star 
And  from  the  star  to  dawn  again, 
Angels  descend  to  talk  with  men. 
And  this  their  message  from  the  skies, 
Faith  ever  true,  Doubt  always  lies  ! 

And  ere  they  spread  the  heavenward  wing 
They  wake  their  golden  harps  and  sing 
The  song  that  charmed  the  pilgrim's  grief 
And  summoned  them  to  give  relief. 
And  this  refrain  thrills  through  the  song, 
Faith  always  right,  Doubt  always  wrong  ! 

There,  on  the  heights,  the  champion  stands, 
The  love  and  wonder  of  the  bands 


MISSION    AM)    OUTLOOK  25 

He  rescued  from  their  foes  and  chains 
And  led  o'er  demon-haunted  plains 
Unto  the  hills  above  the  airs 
That  sweep  the  region  of  despairs. 
And  there,  with  vision  to  discern 
Where  heaven's  eternal  gbries  burn, 
He  sees  translated  to  his  rest, 
Crowned  in  the  country  of  the  blest, 
Rejoicing  with  the  sons  of  light, 
The  one  who  cheered  his  desert  night ! 

And,  hark  !  what  minstrelsy  inspires  ! 
Ay  !  wafted  from  celestial  choirs, 
The  very  song  that  charmed  the  plains 
When  angels  came  to  loose  his  chains  ! 
They  careful  conned  the  harmonies 
To  aid  the  anthems  of  the  skies  ! 
And  now  the  song  which  then  was  given 
Is  chanted  as  a  hymn  of  heaven  ! 
Harmonious  with  the  rhythmic  spheres 
And  cadence  of  eternal  years  ! 


FORDING  AND  BEYOND. 
II. 


"MORNING  GILDS  THE  OTHER  SIDE.' 

CONSTANT  over  death's  dark  river 

Shine  the  lustrous  stars  of  love  ; 
And,  to  cheer  the  good  man,  hover 

Angels  missioned  from  above. 
Faith  reveals  to  him  the  glories 

Of  a  land  beyond  the  tide ; 
Though  there's  darkness  on  the  river, 

Morning  gilds  the  other  side  ! 

Earth  to  him  is  but  a  province 

Of  a  better  land  that  lies 
Out  beyond  the  hidden  boundary 

Of  this  scene  of  mysteries. 
Angels  call  him,  and  no  demons 

Come  to  taunt  with  evil  done, 
Or,  insatiate  in  their  hatred, 

Paint  a  heaven  he  might  have  won. 

Fearful  still  to  ford  the  river  ! 

Seem  the  dark  waves  mountain  high. 
For,  whatever  visions  promise, 

Vet  to  die,  is  still  to  die  ! 


30         "MORNING  GILDS  THE  OTHER  SIDE' 

Dreaded  journey  !    none  escape  it ; 

All  must  go,  and  go  one  way, 
Sometime  go,  and  soon  that  sometime, 

None  prevent  it,  none  delay. 

And  that  way  is  through  the  river 

Where  no  morning  ever  shone  ; 
And  the  pilgrim  that  way  faring 

Goes  at  midnight,  goes  alone  ! 
Be  it  at  the  break  of  morning, 

Seems  it  in  a  starless  night ; 
Be  it  in  the  gladsome  summer, 

Seems  it  in  November's  blight. 

Be  it  when  by  friends  surrounded, 

Powerless  now  is  friendship's  hand  ; 
Faith  inspirits,  yet  in  going 

Fares  he  to  an  unknown  land. 
Other  torrents  he  has  forded 

In  his  travel  hitherto, 
Streams  so  deep,  and  swift,  and  wrathful, 

Only  brave  men  venture  through. 

Rugged  steeps  his  courage  clambered, 
Deserts  knew  his  blistered  feet, 


"MORNING    GILDS    THE    OTHER    SIDE"  31 

Found  he  thornfield,  flint  and  quicksand, 

Adverse  winds  and  biting  sleet ! 
Now  he  nears  the  final  river, 

Airs  grow  dense,  and  damp,  and  chill ; 
Birds  once  vanguard  here  turn  backward, 

He  must  onward,  onward  still ! 

On  he  fares — and  why  his  calmness 

As  the  shadows  round  him  close? 
Why  invincible  his  courage 

To  the  waters  that  oppose? 
There's  a  hope  that  sings  within  him 

Of  a  land  beyond  the  tide — 
Though  there's  darkness  on  the  river, 

Morning  gilds  the  other  side  ! 

Morn  of  brightness  !  morn  of  gladness  ! 

Morn  of  full  revealing  why 
All  the  hardness  of  the  journey 

To  the  country  of  the  sky  ! 
Land  of  morning,  sweetened,  brightened, 

Land  of  morning  grown  to  noon, 
Land  of  springtime  grown  to  summer — 

Land  of  everlasting  June  ! 


32  "MORNING    GILDS    THE    OTHER    SIDE" 

Mountains  welcome  home  the  good  man, 

Rivers  give  him  greeting  there, 
And  the  trees  of  life  invite  him 

To  abundant  fruitage  fair. 
And  beyond  the  opening  glories 

Other,  grander,  summits  rise, 
Heights  that  hint  yet  broader  vastness, 

Drinking  joy  of  lovelier  skies. 

Here  on  earth  the  roses  wither, 

But  they  ever  bloom  above  ; 
And  forever  there  the  lilies 

Breathe  the  sweetness  of  their  love  ! 
In  the  forest  aisles  of  heaven 

Birds,  and  brooks,  and  zephyrs  sing 
Of  the  beauty  and  the  grandeur 

Of  the  country  of  the  King. 

And  His  angels  there  rejoicing 
So  attune  their  hearts  to  song 

That  the  hills  and  forests  vibrate 
With  the  tide  that  thrills  along. 

And  the  music  of  the  numbers 
Of  the  minstrelsy  on  high 


"MORXING    GILDS    THE    OTHER    SIDE"  33 

Shall  intensify  and  sweeten 

Through  the  ages  of  the  sky  ! 

And  from  some  bright  summit  yonder 

Where  eternal  splendors  glow, 
Shall  the  good  man  view  the  region 

Of  his  struggles  here  below  ! 
O  !  the  retrospect  from  heaven 

That  awaits  the  glorified, 
Where,  beyond  death's  darkened  river, 

Morning  gilds  the  other  side  ! 

And  there'll  be  reunions  yonder 

Of  those  death  has  sundered  here  ; 
There  again  the  light  of  faces 

That  so  many  smiles  endear  ! 
And  the  well-remembered  voices 

That  entranced  the  other  days 
Shall  be  sweet  in  reminiscence 

Of  the  old  familiar  ways. 

Voices  have  new  charms  in  heaven, 

But  they  still  remain  the  same — 
Sweeter,  dearer,  for  transition 


34         "MORNING  GILDS  THE  OTHER  SIDE' 

From  the  life  from  which  they  came — 
Yet  enchanting  with  the  accents 

That  delighted  days  gone  by 
And  gave  omen,  thus,  aforetime, 

Of  their  cadences  on  high. 

Faces  there  will  be  remembered 

By  the  features  known  before, 
More  of  spirit  there  revealing, 

Radiant  on  the  heavenly  shore, 
Yet  the  same  familiar  faces 

By  the  earthly  memories  dear — 
Faces  known  and  loved  up  yonder 

For  the  smiles  they  gave  us  here  ! 

Constant  over  death's  dark  river 

Shine  the  lustrous  stars  of  love, 
And  to  cheer  the  good  man  hover 

Angels  missioned  from  above  ! 
Fares  he  onward  and  emerges 

From  the  darkness  and  the  tide,. 
Where,  beyond  the  shadowy  river, 

Morning  gilds  the  other  side  ! 


THE  COUNTRY  OF  THE  GOOD. 


(~^\  YE  pilgrims  through  this  province 

To  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord, 
Fear  not,  though  there  is  a  river 

That  your  way  worn  feet  must  ford. 
O  ye  pilgrims,  dare  those  waters  ! 

Journey  bravely  through  the  flood, 
For  the  trial  of  that  fording 

Is  the  last  one  for  the  gojd  ! 

Oiiward,  pilgrims,  though  before  you 

Flows  the  chilling  tide  of  death  ; 
For  beyond  it  is  the  country 

Of  eternal  bloom  and  breath  ! 
Fear  not,  pilgrims,  onward  bravely, 

Onward  through  the  icy  flood, 
For  beyond  that  final  fording 

Is  the  country  of  the  good  ! 

And  the  Mighty  will  be  with  you, 

To  uphold  you  with  His  arm  ; 
And  no  wave  shall  overwhelm  you, 


36  THE    COUNTRY    OF    THE    GOOD 

Nor  shall  evil  spirits  harm. 
And  the  angels  will  be  waiting 

To  receive  you  from  the  flood 
To  the  bliss  of  heavenly  morning 

In  the  country  of  the  good  ! 

There  are  youth  and  growth  in  heaven, 

Youth  grown  wise  and  age  grown  young ; 
There  the  crowns  rewarding  crosses, 

There  the  sweet  from  bitter  wrung  ; 
There  companionship  of  spirits, 

There  the  bliss  of  solitude  ; 
O  !  the  joy  of  even  thinking 

Of  the  country  of  the  good  ! 

And  the  joys  of  heaven  shall  heighten 

All  the  shining  ages  through  ; 
F/iends  to  friends  will  there  be  loyal, 

Souls  to  souls  will  there  be  true ; 
For,  O  bliss  beyond  description  ! 

Souls  by  souls  are  understood 
In  the  land  beyond  the  fording, 

In  the  country  of  the  good. 


THROUGH  THE  SHADOWS. 

"^HERE'S  no  sun  to  cheer  the  valley 
Where  death's  chilling  waters  flow; 
And  of  coast  and  clime  beyond  it 

Those  on  this  side  do  not  know. 

Birds  sing  not  above  those  waters  ; 

There  mysterious  ravens  chant, 
(riving  earth  nor  name  nor  inkling 

Of  the'  land  beyond  their  haunt. 

Nothing  grows  by  that  cold  river ; 

And  grew  lily  there  or  thorn, 
Would  it  hint  of  what  is  yonder — 

Boon  or  ban,  or  murk  or  morn? 

Yet  must  all  go  through  that  darkness, 
Lighted  by  no  cheering  beam, 

Through  the  waters  and  the  shadows 
That  o'erhang  the  chilling  stream. 

For  no  bridge  o'erspans  that  river, 
Nor  can  mortals  sail  the  wave  ; 

Nor  can  science  guide  the  farer, 
Or  enhearten  to  be  brave. 


38  INTERCESSION 

Nor  can  reason  give  the  pilgrim 

Boatman,  compass  or  a  barque ; 

Yet  by  faith  he  gains  the  daring 
For  the  torrent  and  the  dark. 

Faith  inspirits  him  with  visions 
Of  the  heaven  of  his  quest, 

Of  the  land  beyond  the  shadows, 
Of  the  country  of  the  blest. 

And  right  onward  to  that  heaven, 

Onward  through  the  chilling  stream, 

Gladly,  calmly,  fares  the  pilgrim, 

Couraged  by  faith's  cheering  beam, 

Onward  to  eternal  splendors 

Where  majestic  mountains  rise 

Jn  the  radiance  of  the  sunshine 
Of  the  country  of  the  skies. 


INTERCESSION. 

CAINTS  in  heaven  are  ever  praying 
For  the  souls  that  struggle  here, 


INTERCESSION  39 


And  the  Father  makes  them  answer 
That  He  holds  His  children  dear, 

That  He  pities  them  and  tempers 
For  them  all  their  varied  woes, 

That  for  them  His  gracious  spirit 
Through  creation  flows. 

Helping  wearied  ones  to  carry 

That  which  burdeneth  the  heart 
And  inspiriting  the  nerveless 

To  enact  the  hero's  part 
And  to  gain,  in  fray  appointed 

Unto  all  to  meet  in  life, 
Wisdom,  equipoise  and  prowess 

Equal  to  the  strife. 

Saints  in  heaven  are  ever  praying 

For  the  souls  on  earth  who  sigh  ; 
And  to  answer  them  the  Father 

Bids  His  swiftest  angels  fly 
Unto  earth  to  seek  the  saddened, 

Not,  perchance,  to  give  relief, 
But  to  strengthen  them  to  conquer 

Cruel  fiends  of  grief. 


40  INTERCESSION 

Glad  the  angels  earthward  hasten  ! 

Thrill  the  spiritless  with  might, 
Till  those  timid  at  the  outset 

Put  their  furious  foes  to  flight, 
And  enhearten  so  their  comrades 

Unto  valor  in  the  fray 
That  what  seemed  foredoomed  disaster 

Crowns  with  joy  the  day  ! 

O,  ye  saints  in  heaven  praying, 

High  example  have  ye  there  ! 
For  the  Christ  who  in  the  Garden 

Poured  his  passioned  soul  in  prayer 
And,  amid  the  darkness  dying 

That  his  enemies  might  live, 
With  his  latest  breath  entreated 

Heaven  to  forgive, 

Now  above  is  interceding 

For  the  souls  of  earth  who  sigh — 
There  in  heaven,  though  high  exalted 

And  the  ruler  of  the  sky, 
There  in  heaven  the  Christ  is  praying 

For  the  souls  that  struggle  here; 


INTERCESSION  41 


And  for  Him  the  Father  holdeth 
All  His  children  dear. 

And  for  Him  the  angels  hasten 

Bringing  blessings  here  below ; 
And  because  of  Him  who  suffered 

Temper  they  each  earthly  woe. 
Saints  of  earth  and  saints  translated, 

Sing,  O  sing,  the  glorious  worth 
Of  the  Sovereign  of  heaven, 

Of  the  Lord  of  earth. 


LOVE  PIECES. 
III. 


"COME,  HAPPY  BIRD." 


,  happy  bird  of  sweetest  note, 
Blithe  bird  of  brightest  wing, 
Of  one  who  close  resembles  thee 
Thy  choicest  matin  sing. 

She  charms  her  home,  as  them  thy  bower, 
With  liquid  warblings  sweet, 

And  marks  each  hour  with  words  sincere 
And  winsome  ways  discreet. 

Sing,  bird,  so  bravely  and  so  well 
That  one  who  seeks  her  hand 

Shall  be  inspired  to  speak  and  act 
The  bravest  in  the  land. 

For  only  thus  shall  he  attain 

To  favor  in  her  eyes, 
Who  but  withholds,  that  he  may  win, 

What  he  esteems  a  prize  ; 

While  hers  is  modest  estimate 

Of  worth  she  may  possess, 
As  thine,  sweet  warbler,  of  thy  songs, 

His  listening  ears  that  bless. 


46  ZEPHYRS 

Come,  happy  bird  of  sweetest  note, 
Blithe  bird  of  brightest  wing, 

Of  one  who  close  resembles  thee 
Thy  choicest  matin  sing  ! 


ZEPHYRS. 

ATE  zephyrs,  bring  the  odors  sweet 
That  on  your  fragrant  way  ye  meet, 

Where  all  the  rarest  blooms  combine 
To  make  the  air  so  near  divine 

It  seems  as  if  to  earth  were  given 
The  flavors  of  the  hills  of  heaven  ! 

But  can  ye  tell  her  breath  who  came 
To  wake  his  heart  to  purest  flame 

That  ever  burned  in  Valor's  breast 
When  fortune  smiled  upon  his  quest? 

Her  words  were  music,  ways  were  grace, 
And  calm  on  that  expressive  face 


THE    SWEETHEART  47 

Tnere  glowed  the  hope  of  summer  skies ; 
While  in  the  glancing  of  those  eyes, 

Which  heralded  intensest  kiss 
That  ever  warmed  a  heart  to  bliss, 

A  spirit  shone  that  would  inspire 
The  gods  to  their  divinest  fire  ! 

Ye  airs  excelling  any  word 
That  earth  or  Eden  ever  heard ; 

Ye  zephyrs  chanting  numbers  high, 
To  challenge  harpers  of  the  sky 

Till  they  attempt  sublimest  song 

That  ever  thrilled  the  heavenly  throng — 

Nor  ye,  nor  they,  can  sing  above 
The  music  of  that  wondrous  love  ! 

THE  SWEETHEART. 

CO  bold,  should  one  of  you  accuse 

That  some  sweet  girl  inspires  my  muse, 
To  all  the  rest  it  would  be  news, 
But  not  to  me. 


48  "MAIDEN  DISCREET" 

The  maiden  never  tells  the  fact 
By  any  word  or  any  act, 
Evincing  such  consummate  tact 
To  keep  it  hid, 

She  is  not  reckoned  on  the  list 
Of  those  who  try  to  "keep  it  whist," 
And  in  the  search  she  might  assist 
And  none  surmise 

There  was  a  reason  for  the  zest 
Wherewith  she  aided  in  the  quest 
To  which  the  searchers  had  addressed 
Their  skill  in  vain. 

Keeping  the  secret  a  little  more, 
We  twain,  as  others  have  before, 
Will  seek  the  parson's  friendly  door, 
And  tell  it  there. 


"MAIDEN  DISCREET." 

IV/TAIDEN  discreet,  I  give  thee  praise 
For  words  select  and  comely  ways, 


NECTAK 

And  wish  thee  many  joyous  days, 
And  worthy  friend;. 

May  Honor  win,  by  grand  address, 
The  blissful  good  of  thy  caress, 
And  True  Love  come,  thy  heart  to  bless, 
And  Hope  to  cheer. 

For  all  like  thee  discreetly  kind 
May  every  cloud  be  silver-lined ; 
For  them  be  thornless  roses  twined, 
And  evergreen. 


NECTAR. 

'T'HE  fools  may  laugh,  the  prudish  quaff 

Their  cups  of  pale  cold  mist, 
And  seem  content  with  no  more  meant 
Than  if  two  icebergs  kissed  ! 

Whoever  thinks  when  Ellen  drinks 
Her  joy  from  Ronald's  lips, 

There's  aught  but  love — that  one  above, 
At  feasts  where  Juno  sips 


49 


50  NECTAR 

The  nectar  high  that  cheers  the  sky 

To  its  intensest  glow, 
Would  deem  such  fire  a  dark  desire 

And  think  the  airs  that  blow 

From  paradise  bring  ill  device, 

And  kiss  by  angel  given 
Was  wandering  worse  than  that  whose  curse 

Sent  Lucifer  from  heaven  ! 

The  fools  may  laugh,  the  prudish  quaff 

Chill  vapor  of  the  morn, 
Affecting  stress  of  righteousness 

Which  doth  affection  scorn — 

Whoever  thinks  when  Ronald  drinks 

The  joy  by  Ellen  given 
It  is  not  well,  would  find  it  hell 

If  he  should  get  to  heaven  ! 


SATIRES. 
IV. 


SOME  CRITICS. 


wicked  wish  some  critics  have, 
And  knack  and  greed,  to  kill, 
They  think  high  evidence  of  taste 
And  proof  of  master  skill. 

To  them  all  writers  rre  at  fault, 

The  finest  paintings  stuff, 
And  singers  at  their  best  too  cheap 

To  honor  with  rebuff  ! 

Yet  may  not  pen,  and  brush,  and  harp 
Still  claim  attention  where 

These  critics  should,  of  course,  receive 
By  far  the  greatest  share  ! 

For  were  there  none  to  paint  or  sing, 
Or  write  in  verse  or  prose, 

What  such  as  they  would  find  to  do 
Is  more  than  mortal  knows. 

They  might  ascend  the  upper  spheres, 

To  criticise  the  stars 
And  teach  good  manners  and  good  sense 

To  Jupiter  and  Mars, 


54  SOME    CRITICS 

Then  clip  away  old  Saturn's  rings 

And  set  him  bounds  to  run, 
Or  venture  near  the  solar  fires 

To  regulate  the  sun  ! 

And  should  they  reach  the  better  land, 
They  would  not  blush  to  tell 

The  angels  how  to  tune  their  harps 
To  sing  hosannas  well ; 

Nor  for  theiv  colors  to  rebuke 

The  alchemists  of  heaven, 
Nor  fail  to  painters  there  to  say 

How  poorly  they  had  striven 

In  limning  landscapes  that  entranced 

Apollo  and  his  host, 
While  heavenly  choirs  from  hymning  turned, 

To  wonder  and  to  boast  ! 

'These  critics  would  condemn  the  style 
In  which  the  saints  are  dressed, 

Insist  on  changes  to  improve 
The  mansions  of  the  blest, 


IN    AMBUSH  55 

And,  raw  recruits  from  earth,  presume 

To  dictate,  there,  on  high, 
The  way  archangels  ought  to  wheel 

The  armies  of  the  sky, 

And  think  themselves  empowered  to  lead 

The  squadrons  sent  afar 
To  subjugate  rebellious  worlds 

Or  win  a  wayward  star  ! 

With  coolness  they  descant  upon 

The  highest  works  of  man, 
And  were  creation  built  anew 

On  a  sublimer  plan, 

They  yet  would  think  the  universe, 

Was  theirs  to  criticise, 
And  would  not  fail  to  carp  against 

The  reconstructed  skies  ! 

IN  AMBUSH. 

npHOUGH  poisoned  word  be  never  heard, 

To  voice  the  base  designing 
Ye  contemplate  on  those  ye  hate, 

The  thought  does  the  maligning  ! 


56  IN    AM BUSH 

'Tis  ever  true,  sin  colors  through 

And  outward  shows  the  staining 

Of  sin  within,  where  sins  begin  ; 

And,  slanderous  words  restraining, 

If  ye  nurse  aught  of  slanderous  thought, 
That  thought  the  victim  curses  ; 

He  vilifies  by  face  and  eyes, 

The  evil  thought  who  nurses. 

His  fellow-man  he  giveth  ban 

Who  casts  the  look  suspicious ; 

And  if  he  praise,  the  cautious  phrase, 
Rose-scented  and  judicious, 

Belittles  worse  than  open  curse 

Of  enemy  malignant ; 
And  in  his  eyes  are  wily  lies, 

Although  he  beam  benignant. 

These  shall  he  send,  to  vex  and  rend 
The  one  his  shrewdness  blesses ; 

They  schooled  the  while  to  watch  his  smile, 
And  kill  whom  he  caresses. 


HEART  OF  ICE. 

T,  circumspect  and  sternly  correct, 
With  character  showing  not  any  defect, 
Thy  coldness  within,  no  luring  can  win  ; 
Pulseless,  and  therefore  not  given  to  sin  ! 
Thou  passionless  one,  what  rivers  can  run 
Where  coldness  turns  backward  the  rays  of  the 

sun? 

From  sinning  though  free,  what  credit  to  thee  ? 
So  frigid  art  thou  the  tempter  would  flee, 
Or,  cold  with  concern,  to  ice-pillar  turn 
Where  fiercest  the  fervors  of  hades  should  burn  ! 

With  forcefullest  will,  and  busied  to  kill 

The  joy  and  the  sweetness  of  others,  until, 

A-tremble  with  dread,  around  thee  they  tread, 

With  only  the  life  to  wish  they  were  dead  ! 

But  cometh  a  day  of  contrasts  that  may 

Melt  all  thy  cold  virtues  to  nothing  away. 

This   warning   dost    spurn? — its  truth  thou  shalt 

learn 

Where  fiercer  the  fervors  of  hades  shall  burn 
Than  primal  design  of  fiat  divine — 
For  hell  would  be   chilled   with  a   presence   like 

thine  ! 


WILLIAM  WILLIAMS. 

William  Williams  walks  abroad 
He  trips  along  so  proud, 
And  steps  so  dainty  on  the  street 
Rude  people  laugh  aloud. 

These  lines  expressive  of  regret 

That  they  should  think  to  scorn 

The  man  for  whom  the  earth  was  made 
And  stars  the  skies  adorn  ! 

For  whom  the  summer  solstice  burns  ; 

For  whom  the  winter's  cold, 
The  verdure  of  the  pleasant  spring, 

And  autumn's  red  and  gold  ! 

A  man  of  ancient  family, 

Whom  heraldry  correct 
Points  backward  to  a  crown  and  throne, 

Through  ancestry  direct ! 

And,  still,  when  Williams  walks  abroad 

He  has  a  gait  so  proud, 
And  steps  so  dainty  on  the  street, 

The  rude  will  laugh  aloud  ! 


TOMMY  TRIM. 

VV/'HEX  Tommy  Trim  at  morning  takes 
The  pleasant  train  for  town, 

He  wears  the  kids  and  hat  correct, 
To  match  his  whiskers  brown. 

And  through  the  coaches  every  one, 

With  equipoise  of  stride, 
He  walks,  to  throw  from  gorgeous  eyes, 

Alternate  to  each  side, 

The  glance  benignant  that  shall  cheer 

Those  waiting  till  he  bless 
The  hearts  that  thrill  with  agony 

For  his  high  graciousness  ! 

Ah,  Tommy  Trim  !  remember  well, 

The  years  will  quickly  fly 
And  kids  will  fade  and  time  will  dim 

The  lustre  of  the  eye  ! 

And  other  ones  with  lovelier  face 

And  tuft  of  finer  brown 
Will  smile,  to  win  rewarding  smiles 

From  those  who  ride  to  town ; 


60  TOMMY    TRIM 

And  none  recall,  dear  Tommy  Trim, 
The  matchless  orbs  of  thine, 

That  beamed  to  cheer  the  other  days 
With  radiance  benign  ! 


OTHER  POEMS. 
V. 


"MOST  BEAUTIFUL  RIVER." 


A/TOST  beautiful  river  of  all  that  have  sung 

Since  music  aforetime  in  Eden  was  young, 
Thy  waters,    though   charming,  have  cadence  of 

grief, 

And,  chanting  of  trouble  that  finds  no  relief, 
Speak  under  the  joy  of  the  notes  of  the  song, 
That  somewhere  the  key-note  of  being  is  wrong, 
That  somewhere  far   back  in  the  course   of  the 

flight 
Of  things  which  the  First  Cause  designed  to  go 

right, 

Some  tired  of  their  orbit  and  went  from  the  way, 
Persisting  thenceforward  still  farther  to  stray, 
Till,  stranded  in   wandering   and   dark  with   the 

gloom 
Of  the  wreck  of  the  wayward,  they  shook  with 

their  doom  ! 

Thou  river  that  singest  the  joy  of  a  clime 
Of  Eden-like  sweetness  of  earlier  time, 
Thou  river  that  singest  the  first  bliss  of  man, 
That  blessing  was  only  precursor  of  ban  ! 


64  "MOST  BEAUTIFUL  RIVER" 

And  driven  from  Eden  and  vagrant  o'er  earth, 
Man,  sighing  for  solace  and  seeking  for  worth, 
Found  little  good  fruitage,  but  vastness  of  dearth. 
Blight  found  he  for   wheat-fields,  and  crows    for 

the  corn, 

Found  frost  blasting  roses  but  pointing  the  thorn, 
In  all  fields  found  nightshade,  or  thistles,  or  tares, 
In  all  paths  found  pitfalls,  or  quicksand,  or  snares, 
Found  fevers  in  cold  airs  and  fevers  in  heats, 
Found  poisons  in  acids  and  poisons  in  sweets  ! 
Found    scarcely   a   gold  grain,   found    little    but 

dross, 
Found  life  full  of  struggle,  disaster  and  loss  ! 

O,  tell  me,  bright  river,  O,  hear  the  complaint 
That  tortures  the  ages  and  notes  their  attaint, 
That  gives  them  no  day-dawn,  but  deepens  their 

gloom, 

O,  tell  me,  bright  river,  the  cause  of  the  doom  ! 
What  is  it  that  burdens  and  worries  in  spite 
Of  solace  of  song  of  the  rivers  that  quite 
Would  antidote  seem  in  their  charm  of  delight 
For  deepest  and  harshest  and  darkest  of  ban 
That  fiends  could  invent  for  the  torture  of  man  ? 


"MOST    BEAUTIFUL    RIVER"  65 

And  singest  thou,  river,  'tis  Sin  that  has  done 
The  mischief,  the  havoc  wrought  under  the  sun  ? 
Then  tell  me,  bright  river,  for  rivers  must  know 
That  sing  of  the  unseen  as  onward  they  flow, 
O,  tell  me  why  Sin  and  its  consequent  woe — 
Why  Sin  after  Tightness  and  woe  after  bliss  ? 
O,  why,  after  Eden,  misfortune  like  this, 
That  worries  and  saddens  the  men  of  the  earth 
And  burns  out  its  best  fields  to  deserts  of  dearth  ? 
Since  blessing  beforehand  but  deepens  the  curse, 
Since  sweet  before  bitter  makes  bitter  the  worse, 
O,  tell  me,  bright  river,  O,  tell  me,  I  pray, 
If  night  was  to  be,  O,  why  was  there  day? 
O,  tell  me,  bright  waters,  if  tell  me  ye  can, 
O,  why  was  there  Eden  as  prelude  to  ban  ? 

And  sayest  thou,  river,  that  evil  was  given 
To  teach  earth,  by  contrast,  the  value  of  heaven? 
To  warn  man  and  spur  him  away  from  the  bad, 
And  teach  him  through  sadness,  the  way  to  be 

glad? 

And  if  it  was  discipline  meant  by  this  grief, 
O,  why  not  some  angel  to  teach  such  belief? 
To  sing  unto  earth  that  the  thought  in  all  this 


66  "MOST    BEAUTIFUL    RIVER" 

Was  only  to  heighten  the  chances  for  bliss? 
That,  covert  in  curses,  hid  blessings  were  given 
To  aid  in  the  quest  and  the  climbing  for  heaven? 

And  singest  thou,  river,  of  One  who  was  sent 
To  tell  what  this  sadness  and  mystery  meant, 
To  lead  man  away  from  the  cause  of  his  woes 
And  aid  him  to  conquer  .the  ills  that  oppose  ? 
The  ban  had  so  blinded  that  only  in  years 
Could  any  be  won  from  the  cause  of  their  tears. 

Yet  why  this  repining,  O  river  of  song  ? 
Wrong  cannot  be  righted  by  naming  it  wrong. 
If  problem  it  once  was  why  man  at  the  first 
Was    kept    from    the   reason   why   he    had  been 

cursed, 

At  last  by  his  troubles  well  visioned  is  he ; 
Misfortune  has  schooled  him  until  he  can  see 
The  reason  his  day  into  darkness  was  turned ; 
Disaster  has  disciplined  till  he  has  learned, 
That  blessing  is  baneful  unless  it  is  earned, 
That  bitter  beforehand  but  sweetens  the  cup, 
When  valiant  the  brave  man  drinks  bitterness  up,. 
That  doubt  when  well  mastered  is  loyal  to  hope, 


"BRIGHT    ON    YOUR    NATIVE    HILLS"  67 

That  torture  if  conquered  equips  for  emprise, 
And  hell  if  subjected  gives  road  to  the  skies  ! 

Then  carol,  ye  waters,  as  glad  as  ye  can ; 
O,  sing  of  the  Eden  that  was  before  ban, 
Ere  man  had  been  tempted  to  wander  away 
Or  night  came  at  morning,  to  darken  his  day  ! 
Ere  thistles  outgrew  the  best  blossoms  of  earth 
And   rich    meads    were    turned    into   deserts    of 

dearth  ! 

And  sing,  O  ye  waters,  as  glad  as  ye  can, 
That  those  who  learn  well  in  the  school  of  this  ban 
Shall  somewhere  out  yonder  find  Eden  for  man, 
With  streams  even  sweeter  than  rivers  that  sung 
Entrancing  that  Eden  where  music  was  young  ! 


"BRIGHT  ON  YOUR  NATIVE  HILLS. 


T3RIGHT  on  your  native  hills 
The  sun  benignant  beams, 
Perennial  down  the  pleasant  slopes 

Still  sing  the  happy  streams, 
Which  feed  yon  river's  tide  that  flows 


68  "SING,  BIRD  OF  CHEER" 

In  beauty  through  the  vale  ; 
Transparent,  purling  brooks 

Which  sing  of  springs  that  never  fail  ; 
And  grand  the  mountains  stand,  as  erst 

When  there  your  kindred  dwelt, 
And  fresh  the  mountain  winds  as  airs 

Their  fields  and  forests  felt. 

And  ye  remain  to  keep  their  homes, 

And  guard  the  noble  name 
Earned  by  their  share  of  those  grand  deeds 

That  give  New  England  fame. 
Shines  their  example,  still,  as  bright 

As  beams  the  golden  sun  ; 
Flows  still  their  influence  as  pure 

As  mountain  waters  run. 
So  cherish  ye  the  fame  they  gained, 

And  emulate  their  worth, 
Your  names,  when  ye  are  gone,  shall  live, 

Perennial  in  the  earth  ! 

"SING,  BIRD  OF  CHEER." 


cheering  light 
Of  morning  bright 


'SIXG,  BIRD  OF  CHEER"  69 


O'er  eastern  height  is  glowing, 

And  choicest  flowers 

In  any  bowers 
Or  any  landscape  growing, 

Their  sweets  exhale, 

To  fill  the  gale 
Soft  on  the  valley  blowing, 

Thou  sweetest  bird 

Mine  ears  have  heard, 
Whose  liquid  music,  flowing, 

Hath  magic  charms 

To  still  alarms, 
The  sweetest  peace  bestowing, 

On  fleetest  wing 

Fly  thou  and  sing, 
To  cheer  a  brave  heart  bearing 

A  load  of  grief 

Beyond  belief, 
Beyond  an  angel's  daring  ; 

Though  worn  and  faint, 

Giving  no  plaint, 
But  brave  on  life's  road  faring ; 

Through  griefs,  discreet, 


7o  "SING,  BIRD  OF  CHEER' 

With  spirit  sweet, 
Well  worth  an  angel's  sharing. 

Sing,  bird  of  cheer, 

So  he  shall  hear 
Above  earth's  loudest  blaring. 

And  sing  again 

To  cheer  him,  when 
Noon's  fervid  heats  are  burning ; 

Assure  him  well 

That  thou  wilt  tell, 
Ere  next  the  noon's  returning, 

In  thy  best  tune, 

That  some  sweet  boon 
Shall  soothe  the  plaintive  yearning 

Of  his  sad  heart, 

As  he,  the  art 
Of  grand  endurance  learning, 

Seeks  only  joy 

Which  doth  not  cloy, 
All  vain  enjoyment  spurning. 

Then,  sweetest  bird 
Mine  ears  have  heard, 


THE    ANTIDOTE  71 

When  sunset's  wealth  is  streaming, 

In  western  skies, 

To  glad  the  eyes 
And  set  the  spirit  dreaming 

Of  Ind  of  old 

And  towers  of  gold 
With  heavenly  splendors  beaming, 

Sing  once  again, 

And  tell  him  when, 
Thy  pledge  in  truth  redeeming, 

Thou  bringest  joy, 

It  shall  not  cloy 
Nor  be  less  than  its  seeming  ! 

THE  ANTIDOTE. 

"pXPECT  to  give  the  doubting  faith  ? 
"*  As  well  to  give  the  lungless  breath  ! 
As  well  to  give  the  eyeless  ken, 
Or  reason  unto  mindless  men. 
O  ye  of  earth  whom  angels  tell 
The  precious  art  of  keeping  well, 
O  ye  above,  whom  stars  and  sky 
Have  taught  the  alchemies  on  high, 


72  THE    PROBLEM 

And  unto  whom  the  power  is  given 
To  study  trees  and  blooms  of  heaven 
And  learn  what  essences  have  they 
That  ills  of  mortals  will  allay 
And  send  these  qualities  in  dews 
That  shall  their  potencies  infuse 
In  herbage  here  for  man  to  use, 
To  aid  him  to  regain  the  wealth, 
The  boon,  the  blessing  of  his  health — 
Ye  sapient  ones  of  earth  and  sky, 
If  here  'tis  known,  or  if  on  high, 
The  antidote  for  doubt  declare, 
The  medicine  to  cure  despair  ! 


THE  PROBLEM. 

j_J  ERE  wailing  a  moment,  then  struggling  a  day,. 
Not  wishing  the  contest  but  forced  to  the  fray, 
Man  dying  of  combating  ills  of  this  life 
Or  dying  of  joy  of  achieving  the  strife, 
Leaves  here  where  he  struggled  some  ounces  of 

clay, 
While  all  that  informed  it  is  wafted  away — 


THE    BRIGHT    BELIEF  73 

A  ghost  gone  to  some  land,  and  what  land  who 

knows? 

With  spirits  congenial,  or  those  who  are  foes  ? 
Where  bleak  over  wide  wastes  blow  chill  damps  of 

death  ? 
Or    where    from    fierce    furnaces    hate's    heated 

breath  ? 
Where  skies  shed  the  sweetness  and  brightness  of 

heaven  ? 
Or  where  o'er  the  concave  grim  war  clouds  are 

driven  ? 

O  !  wherefore  begun  life?  and  what  is  its  end? 
Whence  came  it?  what  means  it?  and  whereto  the 

trend? 


THE  BRIGHT  BELIEF. 

TF,  sore  discouraged  and  distressed, 

With  sorrows  and  with  cares  oppressed, 
And  sins  confessed,  and  unconfessed, 
And  every  ill, 

The  heart  were  struggling  for  relief, 


74  THE    BRIGHT    BELIEF 

And  found  no  succor  from  its  grief, 
In  buoyant  trust,  and  bright  belief,  — 
How  sad  the  earth  ! 

But  rules  reverse  of  these  obtain, 
Nor  mortal  suffered  yet  in  vain, 
A  trivial,  nor  the  largest  pain, 
Nor  ever  will. 

So  let  the  troubled  take  new  heart, 
Learn  well  of  suffering  the  art, 
Nor  shun  to  share  a  generous  part 
In  life's  good  griefs  ! 

For  none  hath  God  the  tender  care 
He  ever  shows  for  those  who  bear 
Of  life's  worst  woes  abundant  share, 
Enduring  well. 

O  !  ever  blessed  bright  belief ! 
That  joy  which  cometh  after  grief, 
Is  sweetest  joy,  and  is  not  brief, 
Like  other  joys  ! 

Inspiring,  grand,  and  true,  the  thought, 
That  bliss  by  bitter  trials  bought, 


"THOU  SHALT  DISCERN"  75 

Is  nearer  unto  heaven  than  aught 
On  earth  beside. 

And  there,  beyond  thine  earthly  ban, 
The  wisdom  of  His  rounded  plan 
Who  ordereth  the  ways  of  man 
Shall  be  made  plain  ; 

And  thou  shalt  know  thy  Father  spoke, 
When  fates  thy  noblest  planning  broke 
And  gave  to  thee  a  cross  and  yoke — 
That  prove  thy  crown  ! 


"THOU  SHALT  DISCERN." 


~n)ESPITE  the  darkness  and  the  din, 
And  all  the  tendencies  to  sin 
Thou  findest  here, 

Earth  is  the  place  and  now  the  time, 
To  win  the  boon  of  happy  chime 
For  that  Beyond, 


7 6  BLESS    THY    KIND 

Where,  if  thou  rightly  livest  here, 
Thou  shalt  discern,  with  vision  clear, 
The  meaning  high 

Of  all  the  mysteries  of  earth, 
And  find  those  things  had  real  worth 
That  useless  seemed, 

And,  grateful,  thank  the  Eternal  Mind, 
That  He,  the  Infinite,  the  Kind, 
Hath  planned  it  all  ! 

BLESS  THY  KIND.      . 

(~\  BLESS  thy  kind,  and  unto  thee 
Shall  angels  chant  the  minstrelsy 

Far  sweeter  than  the  singing  heard 
From  any  brook  or  any  bird 

In  happiest  glen  of  all  the  world, 

And  sweeter  than  the  brooks  that  purled 

In  Eden  when  the  earth  was  young 
And  all  the  stars  together  sung  ! 


BLESS    THY    KIM)  77 

And  dost  thou  doubt,  and  point  to  men 
Who  bless  and  are  not  blessed  again, 

But  live  in  grief,  and  grieving  die 
Of  much  bestowing  charity  ? — 

Perhaps  not  here,  yet  in  some  clime, 
Perhaps  not  now,  yet  some  good  time 

Of  God's  sure  years,  shall  greet  the  eye 
That  moistens  here  with  sympathy, 

Scenes  bright  as  those  the  seer  of  eld 
Entranced  on  Patmos  isle  beheld, 

When  full  the  radiant  glories  shone 
From  gates,  and  temple,  and  the  Throne  ! 

And  grander  shall  the  music  be 
Of  that  good  time  than  minstrelsy 

Of  Eden  when  the  earth  was  young 
And  all  the  stars  together  sung. 


DOMINANT. 

"\A7HEN,  dominant  by  warring  well 
And  in  the  fight  grown  strong, 

The  soul  reigns  o'er  the  outer  self 
That  held  it  subject  long, 

With  power  and  poise  there's  vision  given 

To  see  what  meaneth  life, 
And,  in  the  triumph  gained,  to  read 

The  reason  for  the  strife. 

Then  bright  on  life's  dark  mystery 

The  stars  of  promise  rise, 
To  glow  until  fruition's  day 

Shall  break  along  the  skies  ! 

Forever  lustrous  are  those  stars, 
That  mortals  may  discern  ; 

Yet  only  visioned  souls  can  see 
Their  constant  glories  burn  ! 

Fight  on,  O  man,  until  thy  soul 
Full  visioned  is,  and  strong, 

And  regnant  o'er  the  outer  self 
That  held  it  subject  long. 


VICTOR. 

Y\7HEN  woes  are  more  than  words  can  tell 

Or  human  bravery  bear, 
O  Thou  who  doest  all  things  well, 

Inspire  till  through  Thy  care 

The  soul  those  griefs  shall  dominate 

And,  by  the  trial  strong, 
Envoke  from  dissonance  of  fate 

The  melody  of  song, 

And  excellence  of  vigor  gain 

To  meet  what  ills  oppose, 
And  fortitude  to  suffer  pain 

Till  bliss  from  anguish  grows, 

And  springs  within  the  purpose  high 

Of  that  true  graciousness 
Which  quickly  hears  if  sorrow  cry 

And  hastens  forth  to  bless. 

When  woes  are  more  than  words  can  tell 

Or  human  bravery  bear, 
The  soul,  O  Lord,  endures  them  well 

That  hath  Thy  gracious  care. 


ALWAYS  WITH  THEE. 

TN  sunny  days  of  childhood  playing, 

When  life  was  all  one  scene  of  Maying, 
And  thou  hadst  not  a  thought  of  straying, 
God  blessed  thee  then. 

Forgiving  all  thy  youthful  sinning, 
He  helped  thee  to  a  manly  winning 
Good  triumphs  o'er  a  bad  beginning, 
And  helps  thee  still, 

That,  in  the  strife  which  ceaseth  never, 
Demanding  watch  and  warring  ever, 
Thou  do,  by  manliest  endeavor, 
The  victor  be. 


A  ROSE. 

T3EYOND  the  single  rose  he  sought, 

She  piled  the  offering  high 
Of  lily,  pink  and  jessamine 
And  larkspurs  of  the  sky, 


THE    IDEAL 

Until  the  gift,  full  antidote 

For  all  his  grief  and  strife, 

Led  him  to  bless,  with  what  she  gave, 
Another  troubled  life- 

And  words  for  his  bestowment  said 

Were  finer  fragrance  far 
Than  concentrated  odors  breathed 

From  all  the  lilies  are. 

Ah,  lady,  acts  like  thine  shall  bloom 
In  choicest  beauty  where 

The  sweetness  from  the  heavenly  plains 
Perfumes  the  sentient  air. 


THE  IDEAL. 

J^EDUCE  to  fact  your  fancy, 

Nor  tarry  till  you  do 
Make  real  the  ideal 

That  God  has  given  you. 

Most  real  the  ideal, 

Least  fact  what  most  call  fact ; 
And  of  ideal  most  real, 

Ideal  in  an  act. 


INTUITIONS. 

T^ollow  thine  intuitions, 

They  always  lead  thee  right ; 
In  all  of  thine  ambitions 
Obey  the  inner  light. 

Whatever  to  thy  vision 

Seems  duty,  bravely  do, 

Albeit  fierce  derision 

The  doing  leads  thee  through. 

And  when  of  ease  Elysian 
Appears  alluring  view, 

Then  quick  to  the  monition 

Thouhear'st  within  be  true. 

Intensify  decision 

To  follow  still  the  right ; 
And  onward  to  thy  mission, 

With  vigilance  and  might. 

Thus  heeded,  intuitions 

Shall  ever  lead  thee  right — 
To  crowns  for  the  ambitions 

True  to  the  inner  light. 


THROUGH  GRIEF. 

Q  GIVEN  by  fiends  the  gall  to  drink, 
And  sweeter  grown  for  all  they  send  , 
A  kind  and  watchful  Providence 

Will  soon  proclaim  the  ordeal's  end ; 
Yet  call  thee  not  from  earth  above, 

But  ask  thee,  wearied  one,  take  rest ; 
And  that  thy  restless  eyes  may  close, 

Command  that,  from  the  roseate  west, 
Angels  reposeful  influence  sweet 

Pour  forth,  to  give  thy  spirit  calm, 
And  others  send,  on  zephyrs  borne, 

To  soothe  thy  troubled  heart  with  balm. 

Angelic  ones  shall  sentinel 

Thy  rest,  an  1  fragranc-;  waft  till  day, 
Shall  brightly  break  and  bid  thee,  glad, 

Thy  grateful  orisons  to  pay  ; 
Refreshed,  inhale  the  ambrosial  air 

And  walk  beneath  a  happy  sky, 
Inspired,  by  carol  of  the  birds 

And  songs  of  brooks  that  murmur  by, 
With  faith  that  Heaven  will  bless  thy  days, 

Each  westering  sun  bring  peaceful  sleep, 


84  BUILDING 

And  every  morn  new  evidence 

That  angels  tender  watch-care  keep  ! 

Heroic  sufferer,  who  hast  borne 

The  burden  of  a  broken  heart, 
Patiently,  artlessly,  and  yet 

With  all  the  dignity  of  art, 
While  so  intent  to  bless  the  world 

None  knew  what  woes  thine  own  heart  had — 
Deep,  bitter  griefs,  which,  told  above, 

Would  make  the  heavenly  singers  sad, — 
Soon  shalt  thou  learn  the  gracious  truth, 

Through  griefs  and  cares,  which  here  annoy, 
Heaven  builds  the  path  by  which  thy  feet 

Shall  reich  the  highest  hills  of  joy  ! 

BUILDING. 

V\7HEN  some  kind  voice  tells  thee  plainly 

Of  new  building  for  thine  hand  ; 
And  thou  findest  hindrance  mainly 

In  the  strangeness  of  command 

Calling  thee  from  routine  labor 

In  the  wonted,  humble,  sphere, 


BUILDING  85 

And  thuu  fear'st  from  foe  or  neighbor 
An  unkind  or  jealous  sneer  ; 

Do  not  for  such  hindrance  smother 

That  sweet  voice  that  speaks  within ; 

Thou  mayst  find  the  foe  turn  brother, 
If  thou  manfully  begin, 

And  continue  bravely  doing, 

Work  the  angel  bids  thee  do ; 
And,  each  day  the  work  renewing, 

Thou  shalt  find  it  ever  new. 

It  shall  charm  like  high  romances, 

Gemming  legends  of  old  days  ; 
And,  beyond  thy  farthest  fancies, 

O'er  wide  plains,  by  untrod  ways, 

Paths  unknown  to  other  leaders, 

Angel  guide  shall  lead  thee  sure, 
For  the  gold  and  goo  ily  cedars 

Which  shall  evermore  endure, 

In  the  towers  of  consummation 

That  shall  mirk  thy  work  complete, 


86  BUILDING 

And  call  forth  the  world's  laudation, 

Which  thy  shrinking  ears  shall  greet. 

Fear  not  but  for  all  these  praises 

That  Good  Power  shall  well  prepare, 

Who  hath  life  in  all  its  phases 
Under  His  benignant  care. 

For,  by  thorns  and  frequent  crosses, 
Which  thy  heart  shall  fully  test, 

Sad  reverses  and  sore  losses, 

If  His  wisdom  thinketh  best, 

Unto  meekness  He  will  hold  thee, 

Still  commanding  thee,  be  brave, 

And  obey  injunctions  told  thee 
By  the  angel  that  He  gave. 

And  this  angel  shall  sustain  thee, 
Be  the  work  or  long  or  hard  ; 

And  the  future  shall  explain  thee, 
All  that  did  thy  work  retard 

Was  designed  to  bid  thee  stronger 

Make  the  building  of  thine  hand, 

Which,  than  time's  duration  longer, 
Through  eternity,  shall  stand. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 

A  CCEPT,  selectest  man  I  know, 

Who  met  my  sadder  years, 
And  all  unmindful  of  thy  griefs 
Wast  mindful  of  my  tears, 
Whose  kindness  when  but  few  were  kind 

And  noble  gentleness 

VAfcfle-.so  inspiring  and  so  grand 

And  royally  did  bless, 

Accept  the  gratitude,  too  small, 

My  heart  would  offer  thee 
For  thine  example  and  thine  aid 

So  freely  granted  me — 
The  heirtiest  words  and  kindest  deeds 

Wisely,  but  freely,  given, 
Imparting  to  my  bitterest  hours 

A  foretaste  of  my  heaven  ! 

Once,  scorned  by  those  whom  I  had  blessed, 

And  doubted  for  my  trust, 
My  pleasant  plans  were  broken  all, 

My  hopes  were  in  the  dust. 
Then  thou  didst  cheer  me — blessed  hour  ! 


88  AT  SCHOOL 

And  sacred  be  the  spot, 
When  those  ignoble  men  are  both 
Forgiven  and  forgot ! 

AT  SCHOOL. 

AFFLICTION  is  the  school  wherein 

Gains  character  new  power, 
And  excellence,  by  fighting  sin, 
Wins  an  abundant  dower. 


WARRING. 

wars  for  right,  hope  well  befits ; 
To  him  the  stars  are  true ; 
For  him  there's  always  Austerlitz, 
And  never  Waterloo  ! 

OUR  FAITH  IN  MEN. 

J7NNOBLING  is  our  faith  in  men ; 

It  lifts  us  from  the  dust, 
And  what  we  trust  a  man  to  be, 
We  make  the  man  we  trust. 


MY  NATIVE  LAND. 

C~*OD  bless  the  land  where  I  was  born 

And  played  a  happy  child, 
Ere  yet  I  saw  a  southern  swamp 
Or  roamed  a  western  wild, 

And  where,  within  the  glens  among 
The  Massachusetts  hills, 

My  early  being  was  attuned 
By  cadence  of  the  rills. 

O  !  could  I  be  forgiven,  did 
My  heart  not  turn  to  thee 

With  gratitude  and  pride,  dear  land, 
For  all  thou  art  to  me  ? 

Thine  atmosphere  and  scenery, 
Thy  present  and  thy  past, 

Thy  people  and  their  freedom's  wealth, 
To  last  while  time  shall  last. 

And  all  along  the  coming  years, 
Where'er  my  pathway  lies, 

Whatever  lot  is  meted  out, 
Or  kind  or  cold  my  skies, 


90  "PRIZE  THOU  THYSELF 

Still,  evermore,  my  song,  at  home, 
Or  on  a  foreign  strand, 

Through  life  and  at  the  closing  hour, 
God  bless  my  native  land  ! 

And  if  the  Powers  above  shall  grant 
The  boon  of  heavenly  rest, 

'Twill  sweeten  even  that  to  know 
My  native  land  is  blessed. 


"PRIZE  THOU  THYSELF." 

f~}    BLEST  with  innocence  and  health, 

'And  wisdom  far  above  thy  years, 
Who  hast  not  felt  heart-rending  griefs, 
Nor  wept  the  bitter,  scalding  te:irs, — 

Exquisite  maiden,  whose  bright  ways 

Are  pride  of  her  wh  >  thee  did  bear, 

And  who,  these  years,  with  tender  hand, 
Hath  nurtured  thee  with  fondest  care,- 

Prize  thou  thyself,  thy  kindred  prize, 
Thy  home  and  all  its  quiet  joys ; 


"SHE    PLACED    THE    BITTER- SWEET"  91 

And  keep  thee,  much  as  in  thee  lies, 
From  earth's  frivolity  and  noise. 

Cherish  the  gift  of  thy  good  sense, 

And  do  thou  bravely  live  and  keep 

Thy  soul  from  all  that  causes  shame 

And  makes  the  watching  angels  weep  ! 

For  thee,  God  grant  the  kindest  skies, 
For  thee,  sincerest,  noblest  friends ; 

For  thee,  all  earth's  substantial  good, 

And  heaven,  when  earth's  ordeal  ends. 

For  him  whose  worth  deserves  thy  heart, 

And  whose  brave  ways  thy  heart  shall  win, 

May  brightest  stars  benignant  beam, 
For  him,  and  all  his  noble  kin. 

O,  blest  with  innocence  and  health, 
And  wisdom  far  above  thy  years, 

Thy  heart  be  long  unknown  to  grief, 

And  long  thine  eyes  unknown  to  tears  ! 

"SHE  PLACED  THE    BITTER-SWEET." 

'IPO  girlhood's  home  returning, 
She  placed  the  bitter-sweet 


92  INTO    THE    SUNSHINE 

Within  the  ancient  mansion, 

Where  sunbeams  shadows  meet ; 

And  there  declared  :  "Henceforward 
Be  kindness  all  my  theme  ; 

With  constant  hand  dispensing. 
The  moments  to  redeem  ; 

"Teaching,  if  I  have  suffered, 
I  would  the  world  be  blest ; 

Praying,  if  I  have  struggled, 
The  weary  have  good  rest. 

"I  thank  Thee,  Heavenly  Father — 
My  name  Thou  hast  kept  sweet, 

And  through  these  bitter  trials, 
Hast  kept  my  ways  discreet." 

To  girlhood's  home  returning, 
She  placed  the  bitter-sweet 

Within  the  ancient  mansion, 

Where  sunbeams  shadows  meet. 

INTO  THE  SUNSHINE. 

j/\WAY  from  doubts  that  chill  and  blight, 

Into  the  joy  of  faith's  clear  light, 
Away  from  doubts  that  chill  and  blight ! 


INTO    THE    SUNSHINE  93 


Come  to  the  sunshine  bringing  bloom- 
For  the  rose  there's  always  room  ; 
Come  to  the  sunshine  bringing  bloom. 

Into  the  sunshine  of  belief 

Lead  thou  the  stricken  sons  of  grief, 

Into  the  sunshine  of  belief; 

Into  the  sunshine,  with  a  song, 

To  cheer  their  faltering  steps  along; 

Into  the  sunshine  with  a  song. 

Give  them  the  sunshine  of  your  trust ; 
If  they  have  joy  you  surely  must 
Bestow  the  sunshine  of  your  trust. 

Live  in  the  sunshine  while  you  live, 
And  unto  all  your  sunshine  give  ; 
Live  in  the  sunshine  while  you  live. 

And  then  beyond  the  stars  and  sun, 
Shalt  thou  with  all  thy  toiling  done, 
In  some  good  land  beyond  the  sun, 


94  "GOOD-BYE,     SWKET    STAHS" 

Beyond  the  doubts  that  chill  and  blight, 

Abide  in  the  unceasing  light, 

Beyond  the  doubts  that  chill  and  blight  ! 


"GOOD-BYE,  SWEET  STARS. 

C  WEET  stars,  what  high  delight 

Is  vigil  in  the  night 
Your  lustre  maketh  bright. 
But  now  a  hand  unbars 
The  morn — good-bye,  sweet  stars. 
Good-bye — nay,  linger  still ; 
Shed  ye  your  radiance  till 
Once  more  I  drink  your  glow  ; 
Then  stars,  ye  sweet  stars,  go, 
If  go,  sweet  stars,  ye  must ; 
And,  bright,  sweet  stars,  I  trust 
Your  vows  to  come  again  ; 
And  then,  dear  stars,  and  then  ! 
But  now  a  hand  unbars 
The  morn — good-bye,  sweet  stars  ! 
Yet,  stay,  for  stars  are  given 
To  ken  the  truths  of  heaven — 


"GOOD-BYE,    SWEET    STARS"  95 

O  stay,  and  teach  that  good, 

That  high  beatitude, 

The  best  of  all  belief, 

That  joy  succeeds  to  grief. 

O  best  of  all  good  gain, 

The  bliss  that  grows  from  pain — 

Possession  come  from  loss, 

And  crown  that  follows  cross  ! 

Despair  !  endeavor,  hope  ' 

The  slough — the  heavenly  cope  ! 

When  all  the  skies  are  dark, 
And  there's  no  glory  spark 
To  gem  the  firmament 
And  hint  of  Heaven's  intent 
Of  blessing  unto  man, 
Nor  shadow  forth  the  plan  — 
The  spirit  can  discern 
Your  stellar  fervors  burn, 
In  proof  that'  still  above 
Presides  the  Heavenly  Love. 

And,  now,  sweet  stars,  a  hand 
As  by  magician's  wand 


96  "GOOD-BYE,    SWEET    STARS' 

The  gates  of  morn  unbars  ! 

Good-bye,  sweet  stars,  sweet  stars  ! 

Ye  go,  and  I  may  rest, 

With  dreamless  slumber  blest, 

A  few  brief  hours  of  morn. 

And  then,  where  flowers  adorn 

The  meadows  and  the  hills, 

I'll  join  the  birds  and  rills, 

To  sing,  ye  stars,  your  praise — 

Accept,  ye,  then,  the  lays. 

For  ye  can  hear,  I  ween, 

And  see,  when  all  unseen 

And  all  unheard — when  day 

Hath  sent  ye  far  away. 

And  when  again  ye  shine, 

Teach  me  the  hand  divine 

That  now  the  morn  unbars— 

Good-bye,  sweet  stars,  sweet  stars  ! 


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Form  L9-50rw-4,'61(B8994s4)44d 

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176U   Greene  - 


G826c  Conflict  and 
conquest  and 


other  poems 


